Stung Read Free Page A

said. “I want to be able to keep your computer going twenty-four hours a day while the meetings are taking place.”
    Conrad burst into the kitchen, out of breath. “Judd, come with me.”

    Judd followed Conrad around to the front and down the hill. Shelly stood holding a dirty shovel beside a deep hole. Mark pecked at a rock in the bottom. Conrad pointed. “We were digging the grave and we hit that. Then we found another rock the same size, and another, and now there’s a whole section of them, along with big beams of wood.”
    â€œLooks like a tomb,” Judd said. “Have you seen what’s inside?”
    â€œIt’s like they’re cemented together,” Mark said.
    â€œCover it over and we’ll dig the grave farther up the hill,” Judd said.
    â€œWhat?” Mark said. “We’re almost—”
    â€œMelinda is still inside,” Judd said.
    â€œWhat’s that got to do with—”
    â€œThis may turn out to be nothing,” Judd interrupted. “Then again, it might be something we don’t want her to see. We’ll dig again after the funeral.”

    Vicki was glad when Melinda joined them at the kitchen table later that morning. Melinda eyed Mr. Stein and pushed back a plate of food. “If you guys hadn’t gotten away, the commander would still be alive. Felicia too.”
    â€œThey were going to execute me,” Mr. Stein said. “We had to do something.”

    Lionel made a wooden stretcher and placed Felicia’s body on it. Melinda walked beside Vicki as they followed the procession up the hill to the burial site.
    Conrad and Judd gently placed the wrapped body in the hole. Vicki put a hand on Melinda’s shoulder as the group awkwardly looked at one another.
    Finally, Lionel spoke. “I didn’t know Felicia well, but I do know how dedicated she was as a Morale Monitor. She would have made a great member of the Young Trib Force.”
    Mr. Stein shifted from one foot to another. “I lost my only daughter in the earthquake.” He turned to Melinda. “I am deeply saddened for your loss.”
    â€œIt should’ve been me,” Melinda said. “If I’d have taken the first drink, you’d be burying me.”
    â€œYou’re here for a reason,” Vicki said.
    Melinda backed away. “I know why you’re being so nice. You want me to keep quiet about this place. But that would betray what Felicia and I were trying to do in the first place.”
    Judd’s cell phone rang.
    â€œI won’t stay here,” Melinda continued. “And you can’t make me.”
    Judd handed the phone to Mr. Stein as Melinda raced toward the schoolhouse. “Taylor Graham,” Judd said. “He got the number from Boyd at the gas station. Said it was urgent.”
    As Conrad and Lionel shoveled dirt into the grave, Judd approached Vicki. “Sorry about Melinda. Guess we’re going to have to move.”
    â€œI thought I was getting through to her,” Vicki said.
    â€œMaybe you were,” Judd said. “People have to make their own choices.”
    Mr. Stein snapped the phone shut, his face ashen. “It is a miracle,” he said. “A true miracle of God. I am going to Israel. I am going to the Meeting of the Witnesses.”

3
    JUDD couldn’t believe it. Mr. Stein going to Israel?
    â€œTaylor has access to a plane,” Mr. Stein said. “He said there is an airfield near us.”
    â€œYou know where he got that plane,” Judd said. “It’s GC property.”
    â€œI thought Taylor didn’t want anything to do with us,” Vicki said.
    â€œHe knows I have money,” Mr. Stein said. “He said he wants to keep his promise. I think he needs cash.”
    â€œWait,” Judd said. “If he’s going after Carpathia, why is he going to Israel? Nick’s not there.”
    Mr. Stein shrugged. “Perhaps he will